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Director Leila Djansi Rants And Mentions Nadia Buari & Ama K Abebrese As Good Actresses: A Scene In A Movie Can Make You A Star…

Leila Djansi
Leila Djansi

I guess Leila Djansi’s head is spinning as she constantly comes in contact with various Actors and Actresses who seem not to have a clue about what it takes to become a star.

The Ace Director/Scriptwriter seems to be far pushed by certain incidents and has therefore taking time to write her “professional frustration” down for Ghanaian Actors and upcoming ones to know what is really expected from them.

In her piece, she mentions Nadia Buari and Ama K Aberese as good actresses though she acknowledges that there are more out there unmentioned. Below is what Leila Djansi wrote down with the caption “A Scene In A Movie Can Make You A Star. Little Drops Of Water”

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This is getting really redundant. I am almost disappointed. This note is to all my Ghanaian actors. Please, help me make sure they all read it.

Does Forest Gump bring any memories? anyone seen it? yeah? Remember “Uncle Bubba”? Uncle Bubba was played by Mykelti Williamson. (Brian Hastings on 24). He had one scene opposite Tom Hanks. Today he is known in every household as uncle bubba. One scene.

When I give an actor a script and they say things like: only these scenes? how many scenes?, there are a lot of scenes oh or will there be more scenes, I get discouraged working with the person. I feel you are not an actor. You have just settled into the profession not knowing why you are there or what it means. That to me translates into you can not understand and become a character.

I have watched movies in which they go after a totally insignificant plot just so an actor can have more scenes. I can name many movies in which big name stars come into play five or six or fifteen or way less scenes. Whatever number of scenes they have, they take it and go make it memorable.

Maybe it takes 3 scenes for your character to do its job in the story. Its like life. Like the tree of life. There are roots, branches, leaves, flowers. Some are only for a season. we have people in our lives for only a period. They are there to lend a hand here or shape our destinies the way fate has planned.

You may have been asked to play that leaf which stays for only a season on the tree. Another actor may have been given the chance to be the tree and another maybe the root whiles the rest are the leaves and fruits and flowers. Main actors and supporting actors, bit parts etc.

No story is complete without supporting actors and extras and main roles. Just like life cannot be complete without people coming, going and staying in your life. The art of storytelling is the art of weaving a yarn of truth. and life, is truth, reality. Again, a major reason I do not make fancy movies with fancy houses and clothes and shoes and bags. Sorry. Its not an absolute representation of truth.

When you are given a script, Go and read what your character is about. See the depth of the character; what is he giving the tree? Its not about who has more scenes or who is playing lead or has more lines. Even if you are just there to say ‘go” say go, but say it with passion and truth that will live on and on and on and on.

There are a lot of scenes so pay me more money. Please get up and leave my office!! You are no actor! You are so bloody ignorant I can’t begin to explain. Listen, please, if it takes 75 scenes for your character to go full circle, to cross that hurdle, to complete his/her hero’s journey, then that’s what it takes.

It’s not about 75 scenes. It’s about the depth of the journey. It should excite you, make your adrenaline gush. Your body should uncoil at the adventure that sprawls before you. Wow, I love my character. This thing he did, this decision he made, this path he took, this feeling he has, this wrong move, this woman in his life, this dream he has, this song he sings. That is what should drive you. Not how many scenes or how many lines!

It’s sad how superficial we have become in Africa. It’s all about who is seeing me in my gucci, prada or prado or whatever it’s called. Being an actor is about becoming stark naked.

A pastor said in a deliverance session to the member that “We go back into your mothers womb to change everything and re program your destiny. Yep. That’s what acting is about. Stripping away “self” going back into the “womb” and coming out as the character you have been given.

Ama K Abebrese is one actress I will work with over and over again. Although new on the scene, this young lady understands the theory of stripping and donning a new a new person.  I have realized Ama K can become anything. (Ama, please don’t get a big head. It will stop the flow).

I have had people say things to me about her performance in Sinking Sands. Good and bad. Some comments just made me laugh so hard. One person said her emotions, she was not screaming so the emotions were not right. Who said anger is only demonstrated through screaming?

Another actress I like in Ghana is Nadia Buari. With the right director, she will be amazing. Her eyes speak volumes. Sorry, I am not here to talk about good and bad actresses. They are all good and, with the right attitude, they will do wonders.

Not that I blame them for some of the questions they ask because I have read a few Ghanaian scripts and have never been able to go past page 5. The stories are written with so much flamboyance and colourful words, it’s hard to get into any kind of depth and see a raw, true character in there. What choice do our actors, most of whom have no formal training have than to take it all at face value, get used to it and not know what to look for in a script?

Actors, please forget number of scenes. More or less, be more concerned about what you do as a branch, leaf, root, fruit or flower to the tree. It may take 10 scenes to complete your mission in the movie. Make those 10 scenes memorable.

Don’t charge based on number of scenes. Take your fee as you wish, if the production can afford it, fine. If you can take a pay cut to play a memorable character, don’t hesitate to do that.

Another thing, its not about playing a witch or playing a mother or teacher or lawyer. You are not playing a lawyer; you are playing a character who happens to be a lawyer.

Character is defined as the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation. “the character of the American people”. Also defined as one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual

When you get your script, go and build the character based on the blue print – the script. Who is this person, what traits does the person have, what does he want? What are the emotions that easily come to him? Is he a lawyer? Ok. Go and study a lawyer. Hang around a lawyer; study him in his comfort zone.

Don’t assume you know how a hard corporate woman behaves so you start stiffening your neck and being a totally misplaced actor. What makes that woman a difficult corporate woman? her past? her home? her present? lost trust? insecurity? what? That is what gives you layers and depth and truth and believability.

This is not acting school. The Miles Talent Factory will launch soon. That will be where acting workshops will hold. This is an expression of my frustration.

A big thank you to all the actors who have worked and are getting ready to work with us at Turning Point Pictures. Thank you for always putting the story first.

God bless!



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33 thoughts on “Director Leila Djansi Rants And Mentions Nadia Buari & Ama K Abebrese As Good Actresses: A Scene In A Movie Can Make You A Star…”

  1. Spot on Leila. tnx for taking time out to educate our actors n actresses. oft-times i wonder if they actually understand the character they playing.

    Reply
  2. osie. let me address you first. I have quietly read your nasty posts about Leila Djansi. if she has wronged you in anyway, that you keep coming back to call her ugly, please tell us. we will talk to her to beg you. unless you want her and know you can’t get her so you have to pretend not to like her.
    leave leila alone. she is so not in your class. beauty is not a determinant of success and knowledge. she has wealth and intelligence so what if she is ugly. i bet you are drop dead gorgeous? but you are also idle and broke. now which would you rather be?

    Reply
  3. i think i’ve been one commited lady who always stood by the good works of nadia buari. forget her fairness, proudness(as ppl claim), forget wateva n luk how how she portrays a charactor in her movies. she is jus gud period. jackie is ok,but d first tym i watched mummy’s daughter wif both des ladies, i knew nadia was gona get higher. i lyk both gurls but i tink jackie has been overrated n nadia underrated. all d same leila u said it all. kudos to u.

    Reply
  4. stupid fcking bitch, I have never and will never like her. Allways stepping on the wront toe and she has not been in the industry but for a minute. She is too known and in this industry if you are like that you wont last. Very arogant bitch evident from her interviews. Had the audacity to talk shyt about Genevieve and also Akorfa. NObody like this heifa. I am ghanaian and i dont support her. HAve some class like Shirley. You blow your own horns too much bout hollywood actors starring in your movie and we aint seen on yet. Ayibeni Abuafunu. Nenim seh ta. ANd no one gets on my nerves more than her friend or whomever the hell she is called Angela81 always on naijarules raving about her and putting Genny down. Useless bitch. You will fail anytime you come against Gods chosen best such as Genevieve and Akorfa. Shame on you Leila. You have garnered a reputation in the industry very early. Ye ma wu mo. ADwiiiii

    Reply
    • Yeahyousaid it. say your damn name in addition to it you bloody heifer. I bet you are the same idiot who always, like always, manages to insult leila with Akorfa and Genny. who is Akorfa by the way? an old hag, a thief who claimed Leilas’ work as her own. we see where that has landed her. what movie has she made apart from that?
      you aint seen no hollywood stars in her film cos u are ignorant, you pig.

      Gods chosen best Akorfa and Genny. i’ll love to see leila fail. failure is BBC spotlighting her. failure is an oscar company distributing her film at a 2.5million deal. failure is her film launching at the pan african film awards.

      whos’ the bitch now? you cowardly heifer. Please don’t even compare shirley to leila. shirley is good but please. Not even close to leila.

      sorry, leila don’t need your support. she got better people behind her. she is smart and knows her onions. ashiwu more. lets see ur ugly face here please. idiot.

      GC, maybe u should not have brought leilas prvate facebook note here. she writes notes on facebook all the time and we enjoy reading. let us, the prividlged to be her friends on facebook read. so that ugly idiots like this one up here can continue to boil in ignorance.

      Reply
      • @joy D i don’t no where your based or what you do but I have to say that you are a real smart intellegant girl I like your feedback towards the person that call himself Yeahisaidit from the look at him you really put him in his place I guess that makes him the biggest Bitch now the big looser good job girl keep it up  

        Reply
    • who cares if u don’t like her, u aint shit.are u sure she won t last?? she’s dropped 2 classic movies lately and if u’re so daft not to know,lemme educate u,those 2 movies won awards all over the continent, it even gave your Akorfa some recognision.

      why do ppl like u hate those who’re outspoken?? is it cos u lack self confidence?? it’s like u wanna do it but too damn scared to try so when someone else does it u’re pissed?? masa nobody needs your useless opinion. i know everyone has an opinion but useless ones like yours are better swallowed than voiced.take ma advice.

      Reply
  5. hmm , i neva gave this leila lady a chance at all but after reading this article ,i put ma hands up and salute her , i cant see her works in this article , and she she know the game very well , abt her comment on nadia eyes speaks volumes , i cldnt have agree wiv her more , everytime i watch nadia in movies , she express her emotions through her eyes b4 it becomes clearly in her whole being , i always knew that gal is such a good interpreter of a character on the screens but most of my country ppl are so daft all they see is a pretty face wiv sagging body, if only they can open their eyes a lil bit more….ghana will have a lot more excellent actresses and not just one local bimbo!

    Reply

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